MONEMVASIA
Monemvasia
On Sunday evening we arrived in Gefyra and got checked into the Panorama Hotel. We had a nice room with great views off our patio. We had a free night for dinner but again our wonderful guide invited anyone who wanted to go for some fantastic pizza which we did.
One could not help but notice there was a huge rock coming out of the sea. This rock was Monemvasia where the Lower Town and the Upper Town were located and it could be reached by a causeway connecting Gefyra to Monemvasia. The next morning after a filling breakfast, those who were inclined could join David for a hike to Monemvasia. I am so glad I decided to go on the hike because it turned out to be one of my favorite days of the trip!
As we hiked to the Lower Town we soon realized that something special was going on. The main road going to the Lower Town was blocked off and there were official looking people standing about and a high school band was brightly dressed in blue uniforms. Even though this was David's free day and he was generous enough to take us on a hike to see the sights, he was willing to let us stay in the Lower Town to check out the action. A restaurant owner who saw me taking pictures offered me a chance to go on her rooftop to better take in the view. Check out the slideshow below.
One could not help but notice there was a huge rock coming out of the sea. This rock was Monemvasia where the Lower Town and the Upper Town were located and it could be reached by a causeway connecting Gefyra to Monemvasia. The next morning after a filling breakfast, those who were inclined could join David for a hike to Monemvasia. I am so glad I decided to go on the hike because it turned out to be one of my favorite days of the trip!
As we hiked to the Lower Town we soon realized that something special was going on. The main road going to the Lower Town was blocked off and there were official looking people standing about and a high school band was brightly dressed in blue uniforms. Even though this was David's free day and he was generous enough to take us on a hike to see the sights, he was willing to let us stay in the Lower Town to check out the action. A restaurant owner who saw me taking pictures offered me a chance to go on her rooftop to better take in the view. Check out the slideshow below.
After the religious ceremony, we resumed our hike to the Upper Town. It was such a pretty, sunny day and the hikers were in good spirits after our lucky find in the Lower Town. None of the Upper Town has survived intact. However, the Church of Agia Sophia was restored in the 1950's and was impressive. The thing I liked the most about the hike was the lovely plants and flowers in bloom. Investigate pictures below in the slideshow of our hike.
Below is a picture of our hotel sign. In the second photo, you see Anestis, the bus driver, with the 3 lovely daughters of the people who own the hotel. And in the third photo is a 3 generation family who own the gelato shop in Gefyra. We had an interesting conversation with the son about the economics and politics of Greece.
Kindly click here to hear about our day in Byzantine Mystras.